A decade, nearly 600 matches, over 400 victories, and 20 trophies. That’s the legacy of Pep Guardiola during his time with Manchester City. Having joined in the summer of 2016, Guardiola achieved everything there was to win.
Under his leadership, the Citizens became a dominant force, not just in the Premier League but across global football. Now, he’s chosen to step down.
Surprising news about Guardiola’s departure broke on Monday evening (May 18) via The Athletic. This was later confirmed by Fabrizio Romano. The club wasted no time and announced his successor, a choice reportedly recommended by Guardiola himself. Enzo Maresca, Guardiola’s former assistant and coach of Manchester City’s U23 team, will take over the reins.
What’s next for Guardiola? It’s hard to predict the next move for one of the most successful managers in football history. After ten years of relentless work, a sabbatical from football might be on the horizon.
Joining another club seems unlikely, as finding a suitable opening at a top-tier team would be challenging. On the other hand, leading a national team could be a logical next step.
In the past, Guardiola received inquiries from countries like Spain, England, and Brazil. However, he declined those opportunities. Let’s not forget that some time ago, there were rumors linking him to managing Italy’s national team. Interestingly, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported back in April that Guardiola might be open to taking charge of the Italian national team.
At this time, Squadra Azzurra remains without a head coach. Following an unsuccessful playoff campaign for the 2026 World Cup, Gennaro Gattuso departed from the position. In June, Silvio Baldini is set to temporarily lead the team.